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The wreckage looks quite bad at the moment but we await confirmation. Apparently trees ripped the skin open

Paul Smith

It is not the first time the Flying Bum has crashed.

The 92 metre-long airship, which has already cost about £100 million to develop, crashed into a telegraph pole in only its second ever UK flight when its mooring lines got tangled with power lines on August 24 2016.

Its manufacturers, Hybrid Air Vehicles, had carried out test flights on Friday before police were called to a site close to its hangars earlier today.

The aircraft had reportedly just carried out its sixth test flight, and it had recently fitted it with new airbags in a bid to help it land at a wider range of angles.

Pub landlord and councillor Paul Smith said: "Sad news for Airship fans, The Airlander has broken free from its mast this morning and has deflated.

"It's currently in a field next to the Cardington sheds, the wreckage looks quite bad at the moment but we await confirmation.

“Apparently trees ripped the skin open."

A spokesman for Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd said the Airlander was not flying at the time and was on its mooring mast.

No one was on board, although one woman, a member of staff who was on the ground, is believed to have suffered cuts and bruises.

The Airlander is a combination of a plane and an airship.

Its developer says it will eventually be suitable for a variety of functions, even passenger travel.

GEOFF ROBINSON

The aircraft was found deflated in a Bedfordshire field

GEOFF ROBINSON

Nearby roads were closed off as officials feared a fuel or helium leak

Nicknamed “the Flying Bum” because of its appearance when viewed from behind, it was originally developed by the US government for use in surveillance before cutbacks saw it shelved.

After its successful test flight on Friday, Hybrid Air Vehicles said it was now in the "next phase of extended test flights" and will soon "fly higher, faster, further and longer”.

Steve McGlennan, the CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles, said at the time: “We're thrilled to have commenced the next round of testing; our world class team have really done well and we can't wait to showcase Airlander across the UK in coming months.”